The 8th International Capacity Building Program, organized under the leadership of the International Federation of Green Crescent (IFGC) and hosted by the Turkish Green Crescent Society, successfully brought together civil society leaders and public health experts from around the world. Held between April 30 and May 2, 2025, at the Green Crescent Headquarters in Istanbul, the program welcomed 120 participants from 60 countries.

Over the course of three days, participants engaged in 12 workshops led by field experts and benefited from insights shared by 42 distinguished speakers, including representatives from Country Green Crescents. Key topics included capacity development, project design, destigmatization in treatment and recovery, and international advocacy—offering a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration in the field of addiction prevention.

Day 1: Opening Remarks and Collaborative Spirit

The event began with keynote speeches from the Turkish Green Crescent Society and the International Federation of Green Crescent. Delegates from different countries gathered to share their knowledge and experiences, sending a message of solidarity and cooperation.

Morning sessions featured global experts discussing addiction treatment, recovery processes, volunteerism, and public health. Notable contributions came from Esbjorn Hornberg (Movendi International), Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri (International Society of Addiction Medicine), Dr. Dzmitry Krupchanka (World Health Organization), Karen Peters (UNODC), and Guglielmo Schinina (International Organization for Migration), who addressed topics ranging from global prevention strategies to substance use among displaced populations.

The day continued with parallel training sessions focused on prevention strategies and concluded with a social gathering including a Bosphorus cruise and gala dinner at night.

Day 2: Thematic Deep Dives and Country Spotlights

The second day began with international panel sessions exploring topics such as tobacco control, alcohol policies, technology addiction, and the preventive role of civil society. Speakers including Cornel Radu-Loghin (European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention), Florence Berteletti (European Alcohol Policy Alliance), and Dr. Tasnim Atatrah (World Health Organization, Turkey Office) shared insights on policy coherence, multisectoral collaboration, and regional approaches.

Through parallel workshops, participants engaged with themes relevant to their specific interests. Representatives from Green Crescent Health Development Initiative (Nigeria), Everest Green Crescent (Nepal), and Turkish Green Crescent Society presented successful practices and fieldwork examples, contributing to a robust exchange of on-the-ground experiences.

Day 3: Education, Sustainability, and Gender Sensitivity

The final day started with a session highlighting the role of trainers in awareness-raising efforts. The agenda moved on to key themes like sustainable financing, gender-sensitive approaches, and international educational collaborations. A workshop led by Jan Peloza (Impact Hub Ljubljana) focused on practical strategies for sustainable resource mobilization.

Institutions like UNODC ROSEE, UN Women, Africa House, and the Maarif Foundation added depth to the discussions and emphasized collaborative pathways for future engagement. Green Crescents from Stardom Association (Lebanon), Pertubuhan Bulan Sabit Hijau Malaysia, and Thai Green Crescent shared innovative projects aimed at empowering youth, and enhancing intercultural collaboration. These presentations provided a wealth of practical insights, showcasing real-world impact and cross-border learning.

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